Long-awaited Pajaro Park a grand slam; $6.3 million park already in high use

PAJARO -- A small, largely Hispanic community has its first park, and it's not just any park.

The 5-acre, $6.3 million Pajaro Park boasts a bandstand, baseball and soccer fields, a track, basketball and volleyball courts, play structures and picnic areas.

The eight-year project represents a victory for the dozens of local politicians, committees and nonprofits who worked to bring the park to the 3,000 residents of the 1 square-mile unincorporated neighborhood.

"It's just been a grassroots effort," said Nick Nichols, civil engineer for Monterey County's resource management agency, one of the project's leaders.

More than 400 people attended the Brooklyn Street park's grand opening Sunday, which featured sports clinics, a barbecue and mariachi performances.

Construction was completed in January and Watsonville's YMCA has already started exercise groups at the park on weekdays, averaging 250 people per day, said Stephany Soto, YMCA community program director.

Jonathan Martinez, 10, shot hoops for nearly four hours while his father volunteered at the event. Jonathan said he's been to playgrounds before, but none as good as this one.

"It has every kind of sport," Jonathan said.

Harry Wiggins, board member for the Pajaro/Sunny Mesa Community Services District, the group charged with maintaining and operating the park, said he believes the park will serve as a catalyst for more neighborhood involvement.

"We don't have any government so we're doing it on our own," Wiggins said. "I think the community will start coming together."

Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who helped secure state funds for the project, spoke at Sunday's event.

"The most beautiful part of this historic day is the people of Pajaro," Alejo said.

The migrant worker neighborhood has always been a melting pot -- Brooklyn Street, where the park sits, was once home to a large Chinatown, he said.

Today the street is lined with apartment complexes, used car dealerships and garages and a taqueria.

We needed something like this, said Leonor Fernandez, who lives nearby. Before, we didn't have anything but now we're happy, she said.

Guillermo Valtierra has brought his wife and four children to the park twice a week since January. He plays soccer, while his wife walks and the children climb on the playground.

Valtierra said he used to bring his family to Watsonville parks, but those felt dangerous.

"Here, it's going to be safe," Valtierra said. "They have a place to play, that way they're not on the street. Everybody's happy around here."